“He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

Today’s devotion is John 5:18-23.

“18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

20 “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel.

21 “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

22 “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,

23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:18-23.

This devotion covers two points of which the second point is the main theme of this devotion.

The first point is briefly covered. Jesus’ statement “the Son also gives life to whom He wishes“ reminds us of “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism a/k/a Reformed Doctrine. This statement reminds us of Romans 9:15-16: “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”

The second point is the main theme of this devotion. Jesus’ statement “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” reminds of Luke 10:16, John 8:42, and 1 John 2:23.

“The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” Luke 10:16.

“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.” John 8:42

“Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.” 1 John 2:23.

In conclusion, the following Psalm Chapter 2 warns of the consequences of failing to honor Jesus, the Son of God, and it concludes with the blessing upon those who do honor Jesus, the Son of God.

“1 Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.'”10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:1-12.